Applies ToPowerPoint for Microsoft 365 PowerPoint 2024 PowerPoint 2021 PowerPoint 2019 PowerPoint 2016
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To quickly create a presentation, create an outline with heading levels in Word and then import the outline into PowerPoint. 

Create an outline in Word

  1. Open Word.

  2. Select View > Outline. This automatically generates an outline and opens the Outlining tools:

    • If your document has headings (any heading levels from H1-H9), you’ll see those headings organized by level.

    • If your document doesn’t have headings and subheadings yet, the outline will appear as a bulleted list with a separate bullet for each paragraph or body text. To assign or edit headings, heading levels, and set up your document structure:

      • Select a bulleted item.

      • In the Outline Level box, select a heading Level 1 for slide titles, Level 2 for bullet points on that slide.

      • When finished or to edit your document, select Close Outline View.

Save an outline in Word

  • To save your document, select Save, name your file, and then select Save once more. Select Close to close your document.

    Note: Your Word document must be closed to insert it into a PowerPoint presentation.

Import a Word outline into PowerPoint

  1. Open PowerPoint, and select Home > New Slide.

  2. Select Slides from Outline.

  3. In the Insert Outline dialog box, find and select your Word outline and select Insert.

    Note: If your Word document contains no Heading 1 or Heading 2 styles, PowerPoint will create a slide for each paragraph in your content.

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Import a Word document

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